MESA radar tested

The Wedgetail 737 AEW&C successfully tested its MESA radar over California in August.

File photo by LAC Euan Grant

WEDGETAIL has new eyes, and they work. A major milestone in the Wedgetail project was achieved on August 1 when the Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar fitted to the Boeing 737 Airborne Early Warning and Control (737 AEW&C) aircraft was successfully tested airborne for the first time.

It is the first step in the process to develop the radar subsystem into an operational system for the ADF.

The six-hour test flight over western Washington State enabled Boeing to confirm the compatibility of the MESA radar with aircraft systems.

The flight culminated three weeks of ground testing in Victorville, California, where Boeing and Northrop Grumman engineers verified the airworthiness of the MESA radar for flight-testing.

“The mission was flawless,” Jack DeLange, the 737 AEW&C Integration and Test manager, said. “All of the first radar flight-test objectives were achieved.”

The test aircraft, previously used for aircraft certification flight-testing, became the first 737 AEW&C aircraft to test a mission system capability in flight.

The contractors will use the data obtained to refine the design to ensure it meets ADF requirements.

Air Force officers from No. 2 Squadron’s Detachment A embedded with the Boeing Integration and Test Team had a primary role in the test. Detachment Commander Wing Commander John Kenny was the test conductor for the radar test flight.

He was responsible for the planning and execution of the flight. Wing Commander Kenny, who had flown with the RAF in its E-3D AWACS, brought together the disparate design and test teams to develop the test sequence and execute a flawless mission.

“Having spent a number of years working with Northrop Grumman and Boeing personnel on radar development and testing, it was personally satisfying to see the radar operating in its intended environment for the first time,” he said.

Flight commander Squadron Leader Steve Madsen observed operations and will assume the duties of test conductor for future tests.

Co-pilot for the flight, Squadron Leader James Pearson of the Resident Project Team, relished his first opportunity to fly the ADF’s newest aircraft, while electro-magnetic compatibility engineer Mike Kaiser from Ball Aerospace observed the test on behalf of the Commonwealth.

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